Modeling and Analysis of the Hydrogen Production via Steam Reforming of Ethanol, Methanol, and Methane Fuels

2024-01-2179

04/09/2024

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Event
WCX SAE World Congress Experience
Authors Abstract
Content
The global transition to alternative power sources, particularly fuel cells, hinges on the cost-effective production and distribution of hydrogen fuel. While green hydrogen produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy sources holds immense promise, it currently falls short of meeting the burgeoning demand for hydrogen. To address this challenge, alternative methods, such as steam reforming and partial oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels with integrated carbon capture, are poised to bridge the gap between supply and demand in the near to midterm. Steam reforming of methane is a well-established technology with a proven track record in the chemical industry, serving as a dependable source of hydrogen feedstock for decades. However, to meet the demand for efficient hydrogen storage, handling, and onboard reforming, researchers are increasingly exploring liquid hydrocarbon fuels at room temperature, such as methanol and ethanol. In this work, we have developed reformer models for ethanol, methanol, and methane within the GT-SUITE software, drawing on data from the existing body of research. We examine fuel conversion and hydrogen yield under varying conditions, including different feed temperatures, flow rates, and catalyst loadings. These reactor models hold the potential for seamless integration into system-level models, designed to investigate onboard fuel reforming, startup and shutdown procedures, carbon capture, and more.
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.4271/2024-01-2179
Pages
8
Citation
Hariharan, D., Chhatija, H., Brown, J., and Gundlapally, S., "Modeling and Analysis of the Hydrogen Production via Steam Reforming of Ethanol, Methanol, and Methane Fuels," SAE Technical Paper 2024-01-2179, 2024, https://doi.org/10.4271/2024-01-2179.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Apr 09
Product Code
2024-01-2179
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English